Police hopeful' of arrest in church break-in

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Shelby Township police said Monday they’re “hopeful” an arrest will be made soon in connection with the Easter Sunday break-in of a township church.

Police Chief Roland Woelkers stressed that no arrests have been made yet related to the March 31 break-in at St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic Church. Between $40,000 and $50,000 was stolen from a safe in the church.

The chief did acknowledge that police plan to execute search warrants at unspecified locations, but he declined to discuss the case in detail pending the results of those searches. He said the investigation is ongoing.

Asked if an arrest is forthcoming, Woelkers replied: “We’re hopeful.”

St. Therese of Lisieux was robbed overnight March 31-April 1. The thieves broke an exterior door and damaged an interior door to gain access to an office where they broke into a safe.

The theft came after the church had hosted several Easter services during the weekend.